Report: Bribery probe targets Microsoft partners

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that U.S. government regulators are investigating allegations that some of Microsoft's partners resorted to bribery to help sell software in China, Romania and Italy.

Microsoft Corp. responded to Tuesday's report with a blog post saying it's appropriate for the company and the government to review the issues laid out in the Journal's story. The Redmond, Wash., software maker says it will cooperate in any investigation, but declined to further comment about reported probe.

The Journal's report cited anonymous people familiar with the matter. The report emphasized the inquiry is still in a preliminary phase that hasn't yet produced accusations of wrongdoing at Microsoft Corp. or any of its 640,000 business partners.

The investigation is looking for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that U.S. government regulators are investigating allegations that some of Microsoft's partners resorted to bribery to help sell software in China, Romania and Italy. Microsoft Corp. responded to Tuesday's report with a blog post saying it's appropriate for...